Illuminated Mattress Foot Protector For A Display Room

Abstract

A linear array of LEDs or other light emitting device(s) extends across at least a side fabric panel of a display mattress foot protector at a point immediately above visual indicia thereon in such manner as to illuminate the visual indicia.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A foot protector for display mattresses, comprising:
 (a) a generally elongate fabric panel of such width as to cover the lower end of a mattress on display and hang down from an upper perimeter of the mattress a distance long enough to cover at least a substantial portion of a mattress side;   (b) the portion of the fabric panel which extends over at least one side carrying visual indicia selected from the group consisting of at least ornamentation, advertising media, product information, and combinations thereof; and   (c) a linear light source extending across at least a portion of the width of the fabric panel at a point above the visual indicia in such manner as to illuminate the visual indicia.   
     
     
         2 . The foot protector of  claim 1 , wherein the linear light source comprises an array of LEDs. 
     
     
         3 . The foot protector of  claim 3 , further comprising a holder affixed to the elongate fabric panel proximate the upper perimeter of the mattress for holding the linear array of LED light sources. 
     
     
         4 . The foot protector of  claim 3 , wherein the holder comprises a sleeve affixed to the elongate fabric panel, the sleeve having at least one open end and sized to receive the linear array of LED light sources. 
     
     
         5 . The foot protector of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve includes a mesh or transparent plastic window for illumination of the linear array of LED light sources therethrough onto at least one portion of the fabric panel which extends over the at least one side. 
     
     
         6 . The foot protector of  claim 2 , wherein the linear array of LED lights comprises a plurality of LED lights mounted on a flexible printed circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The foot protector of  claim 6 , wherein the linear array of LED lights includes a 12 volt power supply. 
     
     
         8 . The foot protector of  claim 6 , wherein the linear array of LED lights is mounted on an outer surface of an elongated tubular enclosure, dimensioned to hold a plurality of DC batteries. 
     
     
         9 . The foot protector of  claim 8 , further comprising an on-off switch mounted on an outer surface of the tubular enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The foot protector of  claim 6 , wherein the linear array of LED lights is mounted within an elongated transparent tube, wherein the linear array of LED lights is electrically interconnected to a DC power source. 
     
     
         11 . The foot protector of  claim 2 , further comprising a motion detector electrically interconnected to the linear array of LED lights for activating the linear array of LED lights when a consumer approaches the mattress on display. 
     
     
         12 . The foot protector of  claim 2 , further comprising a solar-powered cell electrically interconnected to the linear array of LED lights for powering the linear array of LED lights. 
     
     
         13 . Illuminated visual indicia display for mattresses, comprising:
 (a) a fabric panel which extends over at least one side of a display mattress and carries visual indicia selected from the group consisting of at least ornamentation, advertising media, product information, and combinations thereof; and   (b) a linear light source extending across at least a portion of the width of the fabric panel at a point above the visual indicia in such manner as to illuminate the visual indicia.   
     
     
         14 . The illuminated visual display of  claim 13  wherein the linear light source comprises an array of LEDs. 
     
     
         15 . An illuminated visual display for mattresses of type in which a fabric panel extends over at least a portion of a wall of a display mattress and carries visual indicia selected from the group consisting of at least ornamentation, advertising media, product information, and combinations thereof, the illuminated visual display comprising a linear array of LEDs, and a means for attaching the linear array to the fabric panel in such a way that the array extends across at least a portion of the width of the fabric panel above the visual indicia in such a manner as to illuminate the visual indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The illuminated visual indicia display of  claim 15 , further comprising a holder affixed to the fabric panel proximate the upper perimeter of the mattress for holding the linear array of LEDs. 
     
     
         18 . The illuminated visual indicia display of  claim 16 , wherein the linear array of LEDs comprises a plurality of LEDs mounted on a flexible printed circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The foot protector of  claim 15 , further comprising a motion detector electrically interconnected to the linear array of LED lights for activating the linear array of LED lights when a consumer approaches the mattress on display.